"Jasprit Bumrah is the biggest Indian bowler after.."- R Ashwin's tight slap to Virat Kohli fans

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about his views on Jasprit Bumrah's 'fittest cricketer' remark. Recently, Bumrah was asked about the fittest cricketer in the Indian team. While everyone was expecting Virat Kohli's name, Bumrah chose himself.

Bumrah reasoned by saying that it requires a lot of physical and mental strength to be a fast bowler and they work very hard in extreme heat. "I know the answer you are searching for, but I would like to say my name because I am a fast bowler," Bumrah had said at an event.

Since then, Jasprit Bumrah has received some flak, especially from Virat Kohli's fans. Many people took a brutal dig at him as well. Kohli is easily one of the fittest cricketers in the world and Bumrah's comment did not go down well with Kohli's fans.

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R Ashwin breaks silence on Jasprit Bumrah's 'fittest cricketer' remark

Recently, during a video with sports journalist Vimal Kumar, Ashwin was asked about Bumrah's latest remark. Ashwin praised Bumrah for working so hard and bowling in extreme heat. The offspinner called Bumrah a "Kohinoor diamond" of Indian cricket.

"Jasprit Bumrah is a fast bowler. He bowls in so much heat and works so hard. Bumrah Indian cricket ka crowned jewel hai, Indian cricket ka kohinoor diamond hai Jasprit Bumrah (He is a crowned jewel of Indian cricket, he is the Kohinoor diamond of Indian cricket). Just let him say what he wants to say," Ashwin said.

Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional for India in all the formats since his return from injury in 2023. In all the tournaments he has played since Bumrah has played a vital role in India's success. He helped India win the T20 World Cup 2024 and also emerged as the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding spells.

R Ashwin did not stop here and even compared Jasprit Bumrah with the great Kapil Dev. He argued how someone can expect a particular answer from the player rather than letting the player speak his heart out.

"Is there any bowler who has been so big after Kapil Dev? Jasprit Bumrah has come and is winning matches for his country. Virat Kohli is a big cricketer. How can you ask a question to a player and then decide the answer yourself? Then you should not even ask the question," he argued.

"Bumrah Indian cricket ka crowned jewel hai
Woh jo bolna chah rha hai usko bolne do yaar"

Ash anna on that fittest cricketer remark and "clown crying" about that😹 pic.twitter.com/Y7u4QI17qo

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) September 23, 2024

"Fast bowler is a tipper lorry" - R Ashwin

Ashwin further elaborated the theory of injuries to fast bowlers, claiming that they are bound to break down at some point. He also gave an example of a tipper lorry and a Mercedes Benz to explain his point.

"People immediately say that he gets injured, then how is he the fittest? There is a difference between a tipper lorry and a Mercedes Benz. The fast bowler is a tipper lorry. He will break down at some time. He has worked hard after his comeback and is bowling at 145 kph. He deserves the credit," the 38-year-old explained.

Not only in T20Is, Bumrah has been brilliant in ODI's and Tests as well. He played a key role in India's road to the final in the ODI World Cup 2023 and then bowled exceptionally well in the home Test series against England on flat wickets.

Currently, he is playing the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh. Bumrah's role will be crucial in India's upcoming Test season where they will also play a five-match Test series in Australia.

Meanwhile, R Ashwin too is in great form with both bat and ball. In the first Test against Bangladesh at Chennai, Ashwin scored a hundred in the first innings and then picked up a six-wicket haul to help India take a 1-0 lead in the series.